Meet the Elite: Dmitry Solominsky

Every month, we feature an outstanding member of the TaskRabbit Elite community. This month we sat down with Dmitry Solominksy, a military veteran, and one of our most active and highest rated TaskRabbits in New York City.

We sat down with Dmitry to learn a little bit more about him — including what being part of the Elite means to him and how he uses his military background to bring stellar customer service to every task. Read the full interview below:

What was your background before TaskRabbit?

I spent 6.5 years working at the corporate law firm, Dewey & LeBoeuf, where I oversaw half a million square feet of space and a staff of 7. Dealing with attorneys and outside vendors on a daily basis taught me to be able to think on my feet, making me pretty creative in how I approach time management.

How long have you been a TaskRabbit?

My one year TaskRabbit anniversary is this month!

What brought you to TaskRabbit?

After the law firm I worked for went bankrupt, I sat around at home and did nothing professionally for about two months. I applied to some jobs but got nowhere. While listening to TED talks I came across Leah Busque’s talk and thought to myself “I could do this” and the rest is history.

Coolest client you’ve met through TaskRabbit?

I’ve met a ton of amazing people in their own right, but working for Foursquare several times has been pretty amazing. To be able to work for a company that has an international following and is so prominent in social media is nothing short of awesome.

Most memorable task you’ve completed on TaskRabbit?

I biked to Manhattan for a job to build 10 Ikea rolling desks and some chairs for a startup. After hours of work, I wound up being fed very well and receiving a 115% tip for the services I provided! Made my bike ride home at 1am on Monday a lot more tolerable.

We know you have a military background. What does being former military mean to you and how has it shaped how you view customer service?

I am extremely proud of my military background. My pride can be seen in every task, from the moment I get assigned. I pride myself on my professionalism, from making first contact right after assignment to asking questions to ALWAYS showing up 10 minutes early for a task. To me, there is no such thing as a difficult customer. I always try to find common ground with people; whether it be through comedy or being serious. Having dealt with very strict timelines and no room for error while I was in the military, I bring that to my clients everyday.

What do you do to ensure a 5-star rating every time?

Preparation – knowing what you need to accomplish a task is half the battle. I go out of my way to compliment people on their design choices, kids’ art, and even pets. I’m also a stickler for detail. If I am not happy with something, I will re do it completely. I carry a 40-pound backpack on each task, stocked to the brim full of supplies and hardware. This puts customers at ease knowing that I have the tools to complete the job. I am also very flexible about timing and scheduling, and my clients appreciate the flexibility.

What’s your secret to getting hired on TaskRabbit?

My reviews speak volumes about my work. As a result of my Elite status on the platform, I’ve been able to increase my working rates because clients are willing to pay for quality. I know what most things I bid on entail and will often include questions in my bid that the person themselves had not thought of. That attention to detail often gets me the job.

What does being part of the Elite mean to you?

Being part of the Elite means I am doing something right, it’s nice to be recognized for your accomplishments.

What are three fun facts about you?

Before TaskRabbit, I thought calendars/planners were silly. I now swear by Google calendar.

I am a voracious eater, often finishing off my own food and the food of others around me at restaurants. This earned me the nickname of Food, which some friends still call me to the day.

I have completed four Tough Mudders, registered for a 5th this year and plan to run an Ironman by age 35.

Your favorite quotation?

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” –Albert Einstein

If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be and why?

Me. Everything I have been through has made me as awesome as I am. I would not want to trade that for anything in the world. Often times, people dream of being someone else, when they are not even the best version of themselves.

Favorite place you have travelled to?

As crazy as it sounds, Iraq, the birthplace of civilization. Something about seeing the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates and thinking about all of the history that has happened there was magical. It is incredibly beautiful there and the sunsets are mind-blowing.

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